Abuja All Stars on Saturday at the FIFA Goal Project Pitch package B of the Moshood Abiola National pipped Unity Sports Foundation 2-0 to emerge champions of the Abuja Veterans Invitation Tournament and retained their trophy.
A Simon Akong’s brace made sure that All Stars are champions for the second consecutive editions.
Akong opened his goal account in 35 minutes of play and all efforts by USF to equalise proved abortive as the score stood at 1-0 after the first half.
Akong was on song again in the second half when he scored again and ended USF hope of staging any comeback to win the tournament for the All Stars team.
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Chairman and captain of Unity Sports Foundation, Mr Benjamin Anaguoye, speaking with the media after the game said the better team won.
“We lost to a better side today, they dominated play in all areas and we find it difficult to find our rhythm which played a major part in us losing, but we want to focus on the positives especially making it to the final and by next edition we will try to win it,” he said.
Coach Bassey Patrick of All Stars in his comments said the victory is a result of hardwork and unpredictability of his team.
“Some of the clubs we played against have players who have played against us in the past and they understand our style of play. We tried to be creative which resulted in the way we dominated our opponents especially in the final match,” he said.
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The chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Desmond Ikwuje, commended all the participating teams for the team spirit displayed during the week-long event saying the tournament would not have been successful without their support.
“It has been an interesting one-month tournament which has seen ex-internationals, captains of industries participating in this competition that has created opportunity to network and explore business relationships.
“Our next target is to make the competition bigger, increase prize money and hopefully get more financial sponsors.”